RT Journal
A1 BALFOUR HH, JR
T1 RUbella reimmunization now
JF American Journal of Diseases of Children
JO American Journal of Diseases of Children
YR 1979
FD December 1
VO 133
IS 12
SP 1231
OP 1233
DO 10.1001/archpedi.1979.02130120023001
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.1979.02130120023001
AB Congenital rubella is preventable. In the aftermath of the tragic 1964-1965 rubella epidemic that damaged an estimated 20,000 infants in the United States, rubella vaccines quickly were developed and field tested. Licensed live, attenuated rubella vaccines have been available in the United States since 1969. Our use of them has been based on the concept of herd immunity. Vaccination of schoolchildren who have had a high incidence of acute rubella during epidemics was undertaken to prevent spread of the virus to susceptible pregnant women. To implement the attainment of herd immunity, many states passed legislation requiring evidence of rubella vaccination for admission to state-licensed schools. In some states, 95% of school entrants have been immunized, although the national percentage is not nearly as high.The herd immunity concept for rubella control is a sound principle and likely has been responsible, at least in part, for reducing congenital rubella to approximately